Middle School

Please review this page carefully and continue to check back for updates.

We remain committed to our goal of protecting the health and safety of our community while staying open for in-person learning. Last year we met this goal, keeping our schools open and our COVID-19 positivity rate below the city’s — with no evidence of in-school transmission. 

 

This year, though we will no longer require COVID-19 vaccinations or weekly testing for unvaccinated scholars, we will continue to encourage vaccination and maintain an ample supply of rapid tests at our schools. We will also continue our hygiene, cleaning, and positive case response protocols. 

Key Dates

School Schedule 

This year, we will pilot a new middle school schedule that we believe will optimize teaching and learning, support the development of scholar learning habits, and offer greater convenience.

Most notably, the new schedule moves what used to be known as “Zero period” — now “Z period” — and club practice to the end of the day. Scholars will also now have the opportunity to participate in tutoring sessions during this end-of-day block. All middle schoolers will arrive at 8:00 a.m. and dismiss at 3:30 p.m. Z period, club practice, and tutoring will be held from 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

We’re excited about this new schedule. In addition to providing scholars with more time for clubs, this time at the end of the day will allow scholars to get an earlier start on homework, engage in targeted academic support, and participate in various after school activities. It will also provide our teachers valuable planning and reflection time after dismissal. You can see a full sample schedule here:

Fifth Grade: Homeroom Model 

Next year, we will also pilot a new homeroom model for fifth grade at SA Midtown West Middle School, SA Hudson Yards Middle School, and SA Hamilton Heights Middle School, which we believe will help scholars acclimate to a new schedule in middle school. In this model, fifth graders will no longer transition between classes; instead, they will have two lead teachers for their core academic subjects and who serve as the central points of contact for parents to partner with on supporting their scholar.

We have heard the feedback from some of our families that the transition to middle school can be challenging. We’re hopeful that this model will help fifth graders ease into the world of middle school as they navigate new academic and social challenges — and ultimately prepare them to start class-specific transitions in sixth grade. If the pilot is successful, we intend to make this change for our fifth-graders network-wide the following school year. 

Scholar Talent 

We’re excited to offer regularly scheduled electives, clubs, and teams this year. Non-competitive clubs are held five days a week during Z-period and on Wednesdays.


To protect all scholars and contain the spread of COVID-19, SA is encouraging, but not requiring, all scholars to be fully vaccinated in order to participate in clubs or sports teams. As you may know, the Department of Education has relaxed its COVID vaccine requirement for extracurricular activities. SA remains committed to the health and safety of our scholars, while following the science, medical research, and national and local health guidance. As such, SA will no longer require scholars to be vaccinated to participate in competitive travel teams. 


In the event that external tournaments and events locations require vaccinations and/or testing, we will follow the requirements of the venue.


All clubs, specials, and electives will now have a standardized schedule and will begin earlier in the school year than ever before to maximize opportunities for growth and learning: 


All middle school and high school clubs will begin the week of Monday, August 22. 


See this schedule for more details.